Syllabus

Math 120 - Intermediate Algebra

Mr. Eitel

Disclaimer: All information in the syllabus is subject to change if the instructor finds it

necessary. Any changes will be verbally announced during a class session. Absent

students are still responsible for any changes.

Instructor Info: Web Site Address: www.flc.losrios.edu\~eitel

E-mail: eitelj@flc.losrios.edu (read daily)

Please include a Course Name , your name and the term in the subject line

Example: Math 120 John Doe Fall 2006

Voice mail: (916) 608-6580 (reviewed only on days I am in my FLC office)

Snail Mail: A mailbox is in the hall of the new building at Folsom Lake College

Office: Located in the main building with the Library. Room FL1 -137

Office Hours: Given out in class during the first week of instruction.

Text: Intermediate Algebra by Toby Slater , 5th Edition. Publisher: Prentice Hall. A

solutions manual is also available as an option.

Prerequisite: Minimum “C” in Math 100 or successful completion of the placement test. An

ARC or Sierra self Placement is not acceptable. The instructor will check for

proof that you meet the prerequisite during the first week of the class. Proof of the

necessary prerequisite is required for continued enrollment beyond the first week.

You will be dropped at the start of the second week if you cannot show the

proper prerequisite.

Course Objectives 1. To help students develop an understanding of the concepts of algebra and then

gain confidence in their ability to apply this understanding to real world applications.

2. To help students develop problem solving skills and team work techniques

through cooperative efforts and group work or study.

3. To sufficiently prepare students to continue in the further study of math, science

or business courses if they so desire.

The Course: Math 120 is the second of two courses in algebra that are necessary for the further study

in math, science, or computer science courses. Math 120 credit can be applied for an Associate of Arts

degree but in not recommended for transfer to CSU or UC schools. The course will include a review

concepts from Math 100 and a study of functions, solving equations, graphing and other topics in algebra.

A more specific breakdown of topics can be found in the College Handbook. It is highly recommended that

you see a counselor as part of your college planning. The course is intended to increase your ability to do

basic operations mentally and on paper thus no calculators are allowed on most if not all tests.

Grading: Letter grades will be calculated based on the percentage of the total points:

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A 90% - 100% B 80% - 89% C 70% - 79% D 60% - 69% F below 60%

Points Possible: The following is an approximate list of the points available during the semester.

Homework 10 points each test

Tests 50 points each (normally one test per 1 or 2 chapters) Normally 5 to 7 tests

Quizzes As needed, from 3 to 20 points. These may be unannounced No Make Ups

Final Exam 1 comprehensive final exam will be given worth 50 points. No Make Up

Attendance: Attendance is vital to your success in this class. If you miss a class period see a

classmate, tutor or myself for help as soon as possible to get caught up. Absence will not excuse due

dates for assignments. Absence will not be an excuse for missed assignments or handouts. If you miss

a handout you must get a copy from a fellow student. The instructor will not be responsible for bringing

assignments or handouts to class sections after the day they were handed out. Absence will also not be

an excuse for missed announcements You must be in class to hear changes in assignments and testing

dates and other announcements regarding the class. I will not answer questions about these types of

announcements outside of class by phone or e-mail. Failure to attend class may result in your being

dropped from the class. Excessive absence is defined in the student policies for the college district as

more than 10% of the total course hours or meetings. For classes that meet 3 days a week you may be

dropped on the 6th absence. For classes that meet 2 days a week you may be dropped on the 4th

absence. Arriving after the start of instruction will be counted as 1/2 an absence. No readmission will be

allowed.

Calculators: The course is intended to increase your ability to do basic operations mentally and with

paper and pencil, thus no calculators are allowed. One of the most important skills for the student to

gain a rapid mental calculations of the basic operations of Addition, subtraction, multiplication and

division on the rational numbers. In almost all cases (after the first review quiz) the rational numbers are

small integers and fractions that are easy to compute with. This encourages the use of mental

calculations and help the students pick up speed and accuracy. The development of these mental skills

will help the student reduce errors on tests and speed the time required for testing.

Homework: A list of the homework due for each chapter in the course will be handed out in class by

the instructor. Homework for each chapter is due on the test date for that chapter before the test is

handed out otherwise it is late. Homework handed in after the test has started but before the start of

the next class meeting will be accepted but at a reduced score. No homework will be accepted beyond

that time. All homework is to be done by the enrolled student and must be your own work. Any

attempt to copy or reuse homework or share the same work between students will result in an F grade for

the entire unit. All homework is to be handwritten. Your name, the section number and problems

required are to written at the top of the paper for each section. All work needed to complete the problem

should be shown and the answer circled. If you do not show all the work required to complete the

homework problems I will reduce your homework grade. A list of answers will not be accepted for any

credit. If there is any question about how much work is required for a problem ask me in advance or

error on the side of showing all the steps. Put all the sections in order and staple, paper clip or rubber

band the papers before handing them into me. I am not responsible for lost pages.

Math 120 Class Syllabus Page 2 of 4

Quizzes: I may give announced and unannounced quizzes in the course. Most quizzes will be

unannounced. They act as an attendance quiz for the class and a quick review of recent material. Most

quizzes will be given verbally at the start of class. All the rules listed above regarding tests and test

grading will also be followed for any quizzes. If miss the quiz or you arrive late for the quiz NO MAKE

UP IS ALLOWED.

Tests Review: I give a sample test review before every test. It covers many of the major topics on

the actual test. If the test review is a handout then the review must be turned in with all the required work

shown as part of the home work. All work for the review must be shown on a separate sheet of paper. If

the review is done during lecture then no material is required to be handed in.

Tests: I give a test over one or two chapters at a time. You need to be on time for the test. I may lock

the door at the start of the test to insure a distraction free setting. Late arrivals may not be tested at the

discretion of the instructor. 3 points will be deducted from the final score if a late arrival is allowed to

take the test . No notes or papers of any kind can be in sight or used in any way during the test. You are

expected to keep your eyes on your own paper during the test. If you fail to do so I will take your test

and give you the grade of F for the entire unit and you will lose all makeup or retake privilege for the

entire course. You are expected to refrain from talking during the entire time the test is being given, If

you fail to do so I will take your test and give you the grade of F with no retake allowed. You are

expected to keep all extra materials and any other electronic device out of sight under your table or desk

during the test. If you fail to do so I will take your test and give you the grade of F with no retake

allowed. You are required to SHOW ALL YOUR WORK ON THE ACTUAL TEST. Failure to

show the work will result in the answer being marked wrong.

Test Grading: Tests will be graded and returned within 2 - 3 class periods. I almost always get them

returned by the next class meeting. All questions concerning how your quiz or test was graded need to

be raised the day it is returned. Questions raised after that time will be answered only during office

hours and no changes to your grade will be made. I will post your homework and test points and current

point total for the class the day I return your tests. All questions concerning you current point total need

to be raised on the day I post the information. Questions raised after that time will be answered only

during office hours and no changes to your grade will be made. Any attempt to alter or change your test

in any way for the purpose of changing your grade will result in an automatic F for the entire course and

a referral to the college for discipline. I collect all tests after reviewing them. Any attempt to keep a copy

will be considered a theft of college documents. I keep them for 2 weeks and then destroy them.

Test Makeup's or Retakes: Each student may use the final exam to replace one missing test grade

due to absence or the lowest test grade if you do not have a missing test. The best grade you can get

on the retake is 80%. No other makeup or retest will be allowed. If you have lost your makeup

privilege for any reason then no makeup or retest will be allowed.

Final Grades: I will post final point totals and final grades on the web site for two weeks after the end

of the course. All past scores were validated at the time each test was returned and cannot be questioned at

this late date. If you have a question about the final exam score I will save it for your review only if the

request is received by me and replied to during the time the grades are posted. If I send a reply then that

Math 120 Class Syllabus Page 3 of 4

means I have received your request and will save your final for your review. If you do not get a reply to

your request then send written request by registered mail request to show you have complied with the time

line.

Cell Phones: I understand that most students have cell phones. All cell phones must be turned off

while you are in class. If your cell phone rings during a test I will take your test at that time and grade

what you have completed. No retake will be allowed. If there is a pressing need to have your phone on

during a test you must let me know in advance so I can be aware of a possible interruption.

Electronic Devices: The use of electronic devices of any type are not allowed during class at any

time. Music players, radios, headphones, game devices, cell phones, laptops, PDA’s and any other

electronic devices should not be used or visible in class. Due to privacy rights issues no recording

devices of any kind may be used in this class.

Plagiarism: During any quiz or test you are expected to do your own work. Please keep your eyes on

your own test. DO NOT talk to other students during the exam time even if you are finished with the test.

DO NOT have any extra paper, notes, calculators or other materials out during these times. The only time

calculators or note cards are allowed is when the instructor states so in advance of the test and repeats that

at the start of the test. Failure to follow any of these rules will result in a failure for that test and a

loss of any makeup privileges.

Student Conduct: A code of student conduct can be found in the College Catalog. In addition to

these general guidelines I expect each student to show respect for each other and the instructor at all times.

Inappropriate verbal responses, argumentative language, inappropriate e-mail or written material will result

in an F on the current material, an immediate referral to the dean as well as dismal from class for the

maximum time allowed. Misuse of phone or e-mail privileges will result in the loss of those mediums to

contact the instructor.

Tutoring Services: Student tutors are available free of charge by calling (916) 608 - 6607 FLC or

(530) 642 - 5623 EDC for day and time information. They are located next to the Reading, Writing and

Math Lab in building 2 room 238. Don’t wait until the last minute as they may be busy.

Resources: The best resources for any student are your classmates. They can help you study, review

for tests and share notes if you are absent. Get to know the names and phone numbers of several fellow

students.

Learning Disabilities Program: Call (916) 608-6611 FLC or (530) 642 - 5630 EDC for

information. Please be sure to follow all timelines regarding these services. Failure to follow all

deadlines will result in a loss of services. A notice of qualifying for services is due to me by the end of the

second week of instruction. Late notices will not be accepted. All proctored tests must be taken on or

before the day the class is tested. The instructor and the DSPS office both need to be contacted 1 week

in advance of a proctored test to schedule a proctored test.

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